Car charging cable

Which charging cable for your car? Here you will find an overview of all relevant charging cable types and connector types for your electric car and we inform you about the most important differences and characteristics of charging cables for electric cars. With the right combination of charging accessories you will get the maximum range out of your vehicle.

Electric car charging cable

charger cable car 2To be able to enjoy the benefits of your electric car at all times and everywhere and to benefit from extended mobility, a suitable charging cable for electric cars is a must. The purchase of an additional charging cable makes sense if you frequently or exclusively use public charging stations with alternating current. Because these charging stations often do not have a cable but only a socket. It is also handy to have an extra cable at home or in the office for extra convenience.

Type 1 or type 2 car charging cable

The type of connection you need can vary from one electric car to another. To be sure of the required type, we always recommend looking in the manual of the car to see which type of connection is needed. The most common charging cable in the Netherlands is type 2, but type 1 is also sometimes used. The difference is in the type of connection of the plug of the cable with the visible difference in the number of pins. If it is a 5-pin cable, you will need Type 1. If it is 7 pins, you will need Type 2. In addition, there is also a type 3 plug (which is rarely used in the Netherlands) and a combo plug (7 plus 2 pins).

The main differences between the most common type 1, type 2 and CSS combo plugs are as follows:

  • Type 1 (Yazaki): the type-2 plug is a 1-phase plug and can be recognised by its 5-pin connector. This plug was first on the market and is mainly used in car models from Asia and the US. You can still see this type of plug on older models (e.g. the older versions of the Nissan Leaf or Opel Amera E), but nowadays the type 1 plug is hardly seen on new models. We may therefore consider this type of plug obsolete.
  • Type 2 (Mennekes): the type-2 plug is a 3-phase plug and the standard for almost all EVs in Europe. This plug can be recognised by its 7 pins and is the most commonly used plug for public and private charging points. The nickname for the type 2 is the Mennekes plug (after the manufacturer of these cables). With a type 2 cable you can charge both 1-phase and 3-phase which means that this cable can charge faster (up to speeds of 44 kW) than a cable with a type 1 plug.
  • CCS Combo: This plug is a combination of the type 2 connection and a DC connection for fast charging. This connection is gaining in popularity and is increasingly used in fast charging stations. This plug has 7 pins and 2 more pins underneath.

Load mode 1, 2, 3 or 4?

car charger cable

Charging cable car type 2

When charging the car, it is important to know which mode should be used for charging. The mode refers to the technology used for charging, the differences between the modes are as follows:

  • Load mode 1: charging via a normal socket (220V, max. 10A) with alternating current (AC). This method is without limitation and protection and will not occur often in practice. We do not recommend this method.
  • Load mode 2: Charging with extra safety and a fixed current limiter. Often, this is charging from a normal socket via a charging station or wallbox at home with alternating current (AC).
  • Load mode 3: controlled charging whereby the car and charger communicate with each other for optimum safety. As soon as the car and the charging station have determined the suitable charging current between them, voltage is applied to the socket with alternating current (AC).
  • Load mode 4: This is the only mode that makes use of DC charging. The charging station determines the charging process (in contrast to mode 1, 2, 3 where the car determines the charging process).

Length of car charging cable

The length of the cable depends on where you are going to use it. Do you want to use it at home or other places where the distance is not too great? Then use a 2 metre or 5 metre cable. If you are on the road, it is better to have a long cable to avoid surprises. In that case, choose a cable with a length of 8 metres.

Overview of required charging cable for popular models

The overview below lists most EVs and more info such as the connection to the car, charging capacity and charging speed:

Brand Model Charging cable car plug Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3 Mode 4 MaxAC charging capacity (kW) MaxAC charging speed (km/hr)
Audi A3 e-Tron Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Audi e-Tron GT Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Audi Audi e-tron 50 Quattro Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Audi Audi e-tron 55 Quattro Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Audi E-Tron Sportback Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Audi Q4 e-Tron Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Audi Q7 e-Tron Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Audi Q7 e-Tron Quatro Type 2 x x 11 60,5
BMW 225xe ACTIVE TOURER Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 225xe IPERFORMANCE Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 330e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 330e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 330e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 530e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 530e xDrive Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 740e xDrive Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW 745e xDrive Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW ActiveE Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i3 with Range Extender Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i3s with Range Extender Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3 Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3 Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i3 60 Ah Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i3 60 Ah REx Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i3 94 Ah Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i3 94 Ah REx Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3 120ah Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3 120ah Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3s Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3s Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3s 120ah Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW I3s 120ah Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW i8 Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW i8 Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW i8 Coupe Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW i8 Roadster Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW iX3 Type 2 x x 11 60,5
BMW MiniE Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW MiniE Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW MiniE Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW MiniE Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
BMW X5 xDrive40e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BMW X5 xDrive40e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Brammo Empulse R Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Brammo Empulse TT Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Brammo Enertia Pulse Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
BYD e6 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Cadillac CT6 Plug-in Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Cadillac ELR Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Chevrolet Bolt EV Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Chevrolet Spark EV Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Chevrolet Volt Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Citroën  C-zero Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Citroën  E-Berlingo Multispace Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
DS DS 3 Crossback Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Fiat 500e Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Fisker Emotion Type 2 x 0
Fisker Karma Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Ford C-Max Energi Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Ford Focus Electric Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Ford Fusion Energi Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Ford Transit Connect Electric Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Honda Accord Plug-In Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Honda Clarity Electric Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Honda Fit EV Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Honda Jazz Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Hyundai I10 Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Honda E Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Hyundai Ioniq EV Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Hyundai Kona Electric Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Base Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Limited Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Jaguar I-PACE Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Karma Automative Revero Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Kia Niro 64 kWh Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Kia Soul EV Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Kia Soul EV 64 kWh Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Land Rover Range Rover Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz EQA Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4matic Type 2 x 7,4 40,7
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz eVito Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz GLE500 Plug in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz GLE550e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz S500e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz S550e Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Mini Cooper SE Countryman Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Mini MiniE Type 2 x x 3,7 20,35
Mitsubishi i MiEV Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Mitsubishi Outlander Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Nissan E-NV200 Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Nissan Leaf 24kWh Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Nissan Leaf 30kWh Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Nissan Leaf 40kWh Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Nissan Leaf E-Plus Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Opel Ampera Type 1 x 7,4 40,7
Opel Ampera-E Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Opel Corsa-e Type 2 x 7,4 40,7
Peugeot iOn Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Peugeot Partner Electric Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Peugeot Partner Tepee Type 1 x x 3,7 20,35
Polestar Polestar 2 Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Porsche 918 Spyder Electric Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Type 2 x x x x 7,4 40,7
Porsche Taycan Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Renault Fluence ZE Type 2 x x 3,7 20,35
Renault Kangoo Type 2 x 7,4 40,7
Renault Zoe Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Rivian R1S 105 kWh Type 2 x 0
SEAT Mii Electric Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
SEAT el-Born Type 2 x 0
Skoda CITIGOeiV Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Skoda Vision IV Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Smart Forfour Electric Drive Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Subaru Crosstrek Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Tesla Model 3 - Mid Range Type 2 x x x 11 60,5
Tesla Model 3 - Long range Type 2 x x x 11 60,5
Tesla Model 3 - Long range performance Type 2 x x x 11 60,5
Tesla Model S 100D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S 75 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S 75D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S P100D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S-40 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S-60 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S-70D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S-85 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S-85D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model S-P85D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model X 100D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model X 75D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model X P100D Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model X-60 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Model X-85 Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Tesla X Ludicrous Performance Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Tesla Y Perfromance Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Tesla Roadster Type 2 x x x x 22 121
Think City Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Toyota Prius Plug-in Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Toyota Prius Prime Type 1 x 3,7 20,35
Toyota RAV4 EV Type 1 x x 7,4 40,7
Volkswagen  ID.3 long range Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Volkswagen  ID.3 Mid Range Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Volkswagen  ID.3 Standard Range Type 2 x x 11 60,5
Volkswagen e-Golf Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Volkswagen e-Up Gen 2 Type 2 x x 7,4 40,7
Volkswagen eUP Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volkswagen Golf GTE Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volkswagen Passat GTE Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volvo C30 Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volvo S90 T8 Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volvo XC40 Electric Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volvo XC60 T8 Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Zero DS Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Zero DSR Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Zero FX Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Zero S Type 2 x 3,7 20,35
Zero SR Type 2 x 3,7 20,35

Charging cable type 1 to type 2?

A common question is whether it is possible to use a Type 1 charging cable with a Type 2 car or vice versa? This is only possible with an adapter plug.

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